Garbage compactor

ABSTRACT

A waste compactor comprising a longitudinally extending compaction chamber, having a discharge opening at its leading end and a feed opening at its trailing end. A chute communicating with the feed opening is provided by which delivery of refuse may be made to the chamber. A horizontally moveable ram is mounted to the rear of the trailing end of the chamber and is reciprocably moveable from a first position forward of the feed opening to a second retracted position to the rear of the feedopening, thereby to successively move the refuse toward the discharge opening. At least a portion of the compression chamber located between the feed and discharge openings is provided with a plurality of elongated flutes extending substantially along the path of movement of the refuse and radially extending through the inner surface of the chamber toward the center thereof.

United States Paten [191 Longo 11] 3,815,323 [451 June 11,1974

1 1 GARBAGE COMPACTOR [75] Inventor: Joseph F. Longo, Wilton, Conn.

[73] Assignee: International Dynetics Corporation,

Norwalk, Conn.

2 2 Filed:' July 9,1971 211 App]. No.: 161,122

[52] US. Cl. 53/124 E, 100/53, 100/179, 100/229 A [51] Int. Cl B651) l/20 [58] Field of Search IOU/DIG. 5, DIG. 8, 229 A,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 214,282 4/1879 Dederick 100/41 X. 651,722 6/1900 Murphy l00/DIG. 5 1,655,534 1/1928 Carpenter. 100/DIG. 5 2,425,237 8/1947 Field IOO/DIG. 5, 2,470,278 5/1949. West ct al 100/191 2,984,172 5/1961 Roberts et a1. 100/229 A 3,044,391 7/1962 Pellett 100/148 3,222,853 12/1965 Michael. 100/229 A 3,241,479 3/1966 'Grillot 100/179 3,384,007 5/1968 Boje et a1... .l 100/229 A 3,593,484 7/1971 Dussich 53/124 E 3,614,925 10/1971 Clar 100/229 A 3,621,775 11/1971 Dedio et a1. 100/179 3,650,298 3/1972 Delmar 100/229 A X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 457,753 6/1949 Canada IOO/DIG. 8

Primary Examiner-Billy J. Wilhite Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Murray Schaffer ABSTRACT A waste compactor comprising a longitudinally extending compaction chamber, having a discharge opening at its leading end and a feed opening at its trailing end. A chute communicating with the feed opening is provided by which delivery of refuse may be made to the chamber. A horizontally moveable ram is mounted to the rear of the trailing end of the chamber and is reciprocably moveable from a first position forward of the feed opening to a second retracted position t0 the rear of the feedopening, thereby to suecessively move the refuse toward the discharge opening. At least a portion of the compression chamber 10- cated between the feed and discharge openings is provided with a plurality of elongated flutes extending substantially along the path of movement of the refuse and radially extending through the inner surface of the chamber toward the center thereof.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 4 u R 8 w. w m 1 ".II.W 5 m a I I W 2 4 M 3 6 4 2,; o 0 4 5 2 J 4 8 4 3 4 .2 $1 I F u H ,4 9-, m m s a \l I a m H N m -o WWI n mm m P JOSEPH F. LONGO 7 FIG.3

ATTORNEY PATENTEDJIIIH 1 um I 33315328 sum 2 or 2 FIG.6

INVENTOR. JOSEPH F. LONGO AY'TORNEY 1 GARBAGE COMPACTOR BACKGROUND OF INVENTION The present invention relates to waste and refuse compaction and in particular to a refuse compactor wherein the refuse is simultaneously compacted and extruded into a container such as a bag, trash can or the like.

In my co-pending applications, Ser. No. 823,059 filed May 8, 1969 now U.S. Pat. No. 3,580,166 issued May 21, 1971 and Ser. No. 8,788 filed Dec. 29, 1969, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,654,855 issued Apr. 11, 1972, I have shown and described waste compactors of high capacity in which normal household and retail commercial waste refuse can be efficiently compacted in ratiosof four to one or greater. In these devices, compaction is accomplished by feeding the garbage or waste into a compression chamber wherein a hydraulically operated ram is caused to move the garbage against a fixed or pivotable bulkhead until a suitable sized slug is formed, having the required density and compaction ratio controlled by a pressure switch setting. Afterward, the slug is pushed out of the chamber into a waiting bag or a can or other type of receptacle.

In the first of the aforementioned applications, the bulkhead is pivotable and forms the exit door, while in the second application, the bulkhead is a fixed wall and the exit door is offset along the bottom of the compression chamber. In either case, however, fixed slugs are formed within the compression chamber which is essentially sealed from the outside and unless the required density and size of slug is obtained, the garbage remains in the chamber. Also, fixed size bags and fixed size containers mustbe provided since successive slugs are all the same size. Because of this, the equipment is relatively expensive. When economics prohibit the use of equipment that produces separate and autonomous slugs of refuse with the required weight and density and packages them automatically and unattended into suitable individual containers, there is need for a relatively inexpensive device that will compact more then one slug at a time in a continuous column, thereafter to be separated manually into separate slugs. Such a device 1 would be able to be constructed without the expense of the relatively automatic feature of the devices of the aforementioned applications.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor that will compact refuse continuously without attendance, using the constriction of the compaction chamber and its friction to produce compaction.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor eliminating the compaction of the refuse in an essentially closed compression compartment having a fixed bulk head.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor in which an endless stream of refuse may be compacted ane removed at any desire and selected interval.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor in which an elongated slug of compacted refuse is made which may be directly pushed into a flexible bag or container-which may at selected intervals be closed and sealed so as to provide selectively sized portions of compacted waste.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved compactor which simplifies the operation and which provides an inexpensive and less complicated machine.

These objects and other objects together with numerous advantages will be seen from the enclosed disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to the present invention, a waste compactor is provided comprisinga longitudinally extending compaction chamber, having a discharge opening at its leading end and a feed opening at its trailing end. A chute is provided communicating with the feed opening of the chamber by which delivery of refuse may be made of the chamber. A horizontally moveable ram is mounted to the rear of the trailing end of the chamber and is reciprocably'moveable from a first position at the forward end of the feed opening to a second position to the rear of the feed opening and forward again, thereby to move the refuse toward the discharge opening. At least a portion of the compression chamber located between the feed and discharge openings is provided with a plurality of elongated flutes extending sub stantially along the path of movement of the refuse and radially extending through the inner surface of the chamber toward the center thereof.

Preferably, the flutes are triangular in cross-section and are equidistantly spaced around the chamber relative to its cross-section. The flutes may be rectangular, rounded or of other geometric shapes. They may also be spiral in form and curved relative to the central axis of the chamber although their parallel arrangement with the axis of the chamber is to be preferred. The lead-in edge, that is the edge first :in contact with the refuse, is bevelled in order to permit the refuse to be moved longitudinally in the chamber,eliminating the posibility of ledges that could cause blockages and prevent proper operation.

The apparatus so briefly described, functions to compact the refuse axially in disc-like laminations as it is being moved longitudinally. It has been found that suitable compaction ratios of four to one and even greater are obtained in accordance with the present invention.

Further, in accordance with the present invention, an apparatus for compacting garbage and refuse without the use of closed compaction chambers or bulkheads is provided wherein the refuse is pushed through in a longitudinal direction through an elongated chamber provided with one or more flutes. The refuse is caused to be compacted axially by the restricted movement of the refuse through the chamber so as to obtain the compaction of the refuse.

The flutes of the compaction chamber cause the chambers cross-sectional area to be reduced ane the internal surface area to be increased. The combination of the two causes the creation of a resisitan'ce to the easy flow of refuse through this chamber and as a result large forces are required to be applied by the compaction ram to the refuse in order to move it through the fluted chamber. The process of applying the large forces to the refuse to move it through the chamber causes the refuse to successively breakdown into a compacted state-The configuration of flutes and chamher induce a calculable resistance and compaction ratio to the refuse.

Full details of the present invention will be seen in the accompanying drawings and in the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. I is a fragmented view of a compactor incorporating the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 22 of the compactor shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1, showing the movement of the refuse therein and its compaction,

FIGS. 4 and 5 are views similar to FIG. 2, showing alternate embodiments of the present invention,

FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the mounting of a container bag thereon, and

FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention may be embodied in most conventional compactors; it'is however, exemplified herein in connection with the form of compactors which are shown in either of the aforementioned patent applications. The following description and the drawings appended hereto, show only those details necessary for full understanding of the present invention. Reference can be made to the aforementioned applications, if desired, for further details of the construction and operation of the exemplified compactor shown herein.

Turning to the drawings, the invention is shown in a compactor comprising an elongated extending tubular body 10 having a generally circular cross-section. The tubular body 10 is supported above the floor level by conventional base members 12 underlining the body and spaced along its length. The forward portion of the tubular body extends cantilevered over the forward end or portion of the base support 12 so that the body is freely spaced above the floor. The purpose of this will be explained more fully hereinafter. The body 10 is preferably made of tubular steel and a circular crosssection is preferred since such members are more readily available at low cost and function well under the conditions required for compaction. However, other conventional shapes such as rectangular boxes, oval tubes, etc., may also be used.

The tubular body is closed at its trailing end by a wall 14 while its leading end 16 is open to define a front discharge orifice or opening. The leading part of the body 10 comprises a compression chamber 20 to the rear of which is a feed section 22. The trailing portion of the body 10 generally defined by the numeral 24, houses a hydraulic compaction unit 26. Above the storage section 22, the tubular body It) is open to provide a feed inlet 28, above which is mounted a chute 30 for delivery of refuse. The chute may be connected to existing incinerator chutes found in any apartment house or commercial building or may be manually fed, if desired. A sensor 34, such as an electric eye is provided in the chute 30 at a predetermined distance above the storage space 22 to readily sense the accumulation of the predetermined amount of refuse to the compactor.

The hydraulic assembly is medially located in the trailing end of the body and comprises double acting cylinder 36 of the conventional construction which may be mounted and suitably secured to longitudinally spaced leading and support brackets 38 and 40 which are themselves secured to the interior wall of the body 10. A horizontal piston rod 32 extends coaxially within the cylinder 36 and has affixed at its outer end a ram 34. The ram 34 is affixed at the front end of the rod by means of a threaded shank and nut and has an exterior diameter substantially equal to the interior diameter of the tubular body. So that its peripheral edge slidably registers with the interior walls of the tubular body. Se-

cured to the upper edge of the ram 32 and extending arcuately about about the periphery of the ram, is a gate defining plate 42. The gate plate extends rearwardly from the piston ram 3% and slidably engages the inner face of the tubular body Ill). The gate plate has an arcuate extent substantially equal to or greater than the arcuate opening 23 by which the refuse is fed to the compactor and is somewhat longer than the distance between trailing end of the inlet opening 28 and the forward end of the trailing opening 28. If desired, the ram 34 may be provided with projecting shearing teeth (not shown) positioned along the top edge of its periphery; the teeth being designed to engage the refuse contained in the storage portion 22 and shear thoses pieces of refuse against the leading edge of the opening 28.

Opposite ends of the cylinder 36 are connected to opposite ports of a solenoid actuated four-way valve 44 via conduits 46 and 48 respectively. The inlet ports of the solenoid actuated four-way valve 44 are connected respectively, to a hydraulic fluid resevoir and pump 5% which is conventionally connected to an electric motor 52. Suitable relief valves actuating the solenoids and electrical control means are provided to operate the hydraulic pump in a predetermined manner to rccipro cate the piston 32 within the tubular body It) so as to obtain a cyclical operation wherein refuse delivered to the infeed 28 is successively forced along the longitudinal axis of the tubular body into the compression section 20.

Preferably, the hydraulic system. and the electrical control system is arranged so that the normal rest position of the ram is forward of the infeed section 22 and substantially on a line with the opening 28 into the compression chamber 20, as seen in FIG. 3. Thus, the gate plate 42 blocks entrance of the refuse into the device and the ram remains in its forward position against refuse previously compacted in the compaction chamber. On sensing of a load of refuse in the chute 30 by the photo sensor 34 suitable. devices are actuated to cause the hydraulic system to reciprocate the ram from this forward rest position to a position to the rear of section 22, permitting the accumulated refuse to fall. Controls are provided to permit the ram to then move forward shoving the refuse into the compaction chamber. This process repeats itself until such time as the chute 30 is clear of refuse and then will begin again when the chute once more becomes full. At the end of an compaction cycle the ram remains in its forward rest position.

In general, the apparatus just described, is structured and functions in the manner described in the aforementioned applications, to which reference can be easily made. In the aforementioned applications, however, the leading end or discharge opening I6 is closed so that the successive movement of the piston ram 34 will compact whatever refuse is delivered to the storage portion 22 successively against a pivotally fixed or stationary bulkhead. If the present device were to operate in the same manner with the leading end 16 open, it would be presumed that the refuse would be successively forced out of the discharge opening without compaction. In accordance with the present invention, however, the front or compression section 20 of the tubularbody is provided with means which ensure the desirable compaction of the refuse while the refuse is being moved longitudinally through the compression section to the discharge opening 16.

In accordance 'with the present invention, the compression chamber is provided with longitudinal flutes, which in the preferred form are shown in FIG. 2. The longitudinal flutes shown in FIG. 2 comprise triangular members 54 welded or otherwise integrally secured to the inner wall of the compression section between the feed opening of the compression section 20 defined by the dotted line-56 and the leading or discharge end 16. The flutes 54 are provided with a bevelled lead-in edge 58 which allows the refuse to move upwardly on the flutes. The lead-in edge is bevelled or rounded to provide a smooth progression for the refuse. The flutes 54 are spaced equally about the circumference of thecross-section of the tube so as to provide a relatively uniform inwardly directed arrangement extending from the surface of the cylinder toward its cross-sectional center. 7

It has been found that the arrangement of flutes in ac cordance with the present invention provides for ample compaction within the 'ratios'currently acceptable and possibly for greater compaction ratios than those presently envisaged. All this can be accomplished without the use of pressure bulkheads or a closed compression chamber. During the longitudinal movement of the refuse, it is believed that the flutes cause a simultaneous axial squeezing so that compaction occurs with respect to the outer walls of the tube 10. The compaction is a function of both the longitudinal movement of the re fuse and its radial movement of the refuse and its radial movement with respect to itself. The flutes increase the coefficient of friction between the refuse and the walls of the compression section thus retarding the longitudinal movement and further insuring adequate compression. The flutes also act to upset the relative position of the refuse being pushed through the compression chamber so that during this movement the more bulky,

voluminous, but less dense material such as empty cans, boxes, and bottles are shifted about within the compression chamber relative to themselves so as to again create a condition whereby the refuse compacts against itself. It has been further found after numerous representative samples of actual refuse,.such as cans, bottles, papers, wood, etc., comprising what is generally termed household retail commercial refuse, has, in fact, been squeezed, broken, and compacted to density of greater than 4:1.

' It has been found that the major force component exerted on the refuse is applied to the peripheral areas of the refuse. The increased frictional restraint resulting from the radially inwardly directed flutes creates an axial drag on the peripheral areas of the refuse preventing the free flow of the material through the compaction chamber. An unobvious and unexpected lamination and accordion of the refuse thus results. Each successive stroke of the ram pushes a quantity of refuse forward within the compaction chamber, which because of the peripheral frictional drag moves forward only a limited amount. Since the frictional drag is exerted on the periphery, the center of the refuse material (e.g., along the axial center line of the compaction chamber 20) bows outwardly in the direction of the material flow. The refuse thus takes on the appearance of a dome shape or convex form in the direction of the flow. As successive layers are further psuhed into the chamber 2t) the previously formed concave portion retains its form as the subsequent refuse is itself squeezed into this form. The continual movement of refuse backs up' successive layers in this dome or concave form which retains an essentially separate and distinct relative laminae, as seen in the figures. Of course the further the laminae are shoved through the chamber and the longer they are under the influence of frictional drag the more compacted the leading lamina becomes.

It will be appreciated that compaction is effected in a continuous manner and that succeeding batches of refuse is piled up and compacted against the refuse previously formed. Thus, an elongated continuous stream of refuse is extruded and eminates from the discharge opening 16. As the refuse emanates from the opening 16, it may be removed at will and in any size desired, i

simply by slicing or cutting portions of it, much in the manner as one would slice bologna or salami. lt has been, furthermore, found that compaction effected by the present invention is so good that very little expan sion or spring-back occurs once the refuse is extruded from the discharge opening.

The ratioof compaction of the refuse is dependent upon the length of the compression section 20 and the radial extent of the flutes 5.4 since both contribute directly to the total compaction surface area which effects the desired compaction ratio. The length of the compression chamber can be selected as desired, the longer it is selected the greater thedegree of friction and compression. However, this has a limit in that the longer the compression section, i.e., the greater its length, the greater the volume of refuse will be in the slug before emanation from or extrusion from the discharge opening.

It has been found that the ratio between the radial extent r of the flutes 54 themselves with respect to the radius r, of the cross-section of the tube 10, is itself not critical provided that the extent r is sufficient to cause the desired reduction in cross section and enlargement of surface area. It has further been found that the distance y between the bases of adjacent flutes is also of itself, not .critical. However, the radial extent r and the distance y together (i.e.; r y) define the actual compression contact area'since they define the available space on the interior wall tube 10 and the surface of the flutes for contact with therefuse. The optimum contact surface area can thus be obtained by the use of flutes of many shapes and of different numbers by varying the extent of r and the chordal distances y; Very tall and narrow flutes can be placed in a plurality of numbers within the compression chamber while more flat and extensive flutes can be placed within lesser numbers within the same area thus obtaining the same contact surface area. While four flutes are shown in FIG. 2, it will be thus obvious that the flutes may vary in number to as much as 18 and 20 flutes. The compaction device illustrated, has been constructed in which the compression chamber has a cross-sectional diameter of approximately 16 inches and wherein 18 flutes formed from 3X3 angle irons, has been used. Preferably, the flutes should extend from the trailing edge of the compression section up to the end of the discharge opening 16 although this too is not a critical factor.

While the radial extent r of the flutes is not critical it too does have its limits for optimum performance since, as will be obvious, if r approaches r, then the tubular opening of the compression chamber becomes effectively closed and excessive friction occurs between the contact surface and the refuse. The refuse may thus be effectively blocked and prevented from longitudinal movement. It is also preferred that the sides of the flutes be formed in cross-section so that a line extension of adjacent sides meet outside of the tube 10, as seen in FIG. 2. So long as the point at which the sides meet is exterior of the tube, the sides may approach a substantially parallel arrangement. It has been cause of the simultaneous decrease in the cross sectional area of the compression section and the increase in the contact surface area. A change merely in cross-sectional area as might occur if the compression section were merely formed as a funnel does not provide the desirable and extraordinary results as are obtained by the present invention.

Bearing the above in mind, FIGS. 4, and 5 illustrate alternate forms of fluting which have been found to be successful in the construction of suitable compaction chambers and apparata according to the present invention. In FIG. 4, flutes 54a of polygonal shape have been used, while in FIG. 5, the flutes 54b are rounded sections spirally formed around the general path of movement of the refuse.

The present invention has a further advantage in that it permits the bagging or containerization of slugs of compacted garbage of varying and selective lengths and permits the use of material providing bags of only the desired size. As seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the overhanging compression section is freely spaced above the floor. This permits the location of substantially endless tube of flexible sheet bagging material 60 to be rolled or folded over it. The tubular sheet bag 60 may be open at both ends or closed only at one end as seen at 62 so that it may be easily placed in position over compaction section 20 of the body 10. The bag 60 is pleated in accordion fashion over the extending compaction section and is held by a pair of pivoted arms 64 held by hinges 66 to the leading edge of the machine bod y above the compaction chamber section 2.0. The arms 64 fall freely by their own weight on the forward most portion of the bag 60, and exert a frictional drag on the bag 60 preventing it from falling off or unfolding itself. Suitable friction pads such as those made of plastic, rubber or the like may be secured to the bottom of the arms 64 to enhance the drag. When compaction is initiated, the closed end of the bag receives the com-, pacted refuse directly as the continuous slug is extruded from the compaction chamber. When the operator of the device deems that a slug of suitable size is formed, he merely ties the bag with a string 68 (FIG. 7) and slices the bag and the slug simultaneously thereafter tying the outer end of the remaining together to form another closed end. The compaction operation can then be repeated and bags formed of any desirable size and at any time the operator deems it advisable.

Thus. compaction and the size of the slug may be regulated to fit the individual need and installation and in particular, may be adapted for installations where accumulations are continual. The compaction device is thus eminently suitable for use in installations where a continuous flow of refuse is provided. The endless tubular bag material may be elongated with the continuous extrusion of the refuse and may, at any time, be tied in various lengths such as one ties sausages. The tied lengths of slug material enclosed within the bag may then be separated and separately carted to a disposal center. Suitable endless bag material is readily available.

To maintain control over the bag 60 the rear end of it is clipped or otherwise fastened by a chain 70 to a simple pull switch 72 connected within the control cir cuit of the ram. Thus, when the length of bag 60 is fully exhausted and is pulled or pushed off the cylinder 20, the switch 72 is automatically actuated to prevent further ram operation. Consequently, further compaction of waste is prevented until a new bag is placed in position.

It will be seen that the present invention provides a mechanically simple compactor wherein closed compression chambers and bulkheads are not necessary. The control of compaction and density in the present invention is the result of structural configuration of the compression section and the flutes and is not the result of regulation of the hydraulic system or the flow of refuse into the system. Another advantage over the prior devices is in the fact that large quantities of refuse do not have to be stored in either the storage chamber or in the infeed chutes pending the formation of'and removal of a fixed size slug formed in an enclosed compression chamber. The finished compacted waste of the present invention may continuously extude and successive batches of refuse provided.

It will be apparent that the present invention may be successfully employed on virtually any conventional compaction device. The flutes may be adapted not only for circular tubular arrangements but also for compression chambers of a rectangular or square cross-section. The driving of the ram or piston to effect compression is not critical to the present invention and it may be me chanical, such as by a screw or by any other form. Compaction may also be made by pneumatic ram, if desired. Various modifications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and the present disclosure is to be taken as illustrative only andnot as limiting of the present invention.

What is claimed:

1. A waste compactor comprising a tubular chamber having a uniform cross-section along its length, said chamber having a discharge opening at its leading end and a feed opening at its trailing end, a chute communicating with the feed opening for delivery of refuse thereto, a ram longitudinally moveable between a first position to the rear of the feed opening and a second position forward of said feed opening to move said refuse into said chamber and along the inner surface thereof forward to said discharge opening, the portion of the chamber located between said second position and said discharge opening having a plurality of elongated flutes spaced from each other and each extending substantially along the path of movement of said refuse and extending from the inner surface of said chamber toward the center thereof, said flutes extending radially within said chamber an amount sufficient to substantially decrease the cross-sectional area of said chamber whilesimultaneously increasing the contact surface uniformly between said second position and said dis-' charge opening, thereby to compact said refuse on movement from the second position to said discharge opening.

2. The waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said elongated chamber is of circular crosssection and said flutes are uniform in cross section and extend radially inward towards the center thereof, the number of flutes being determined by the ratio of its radial extent from the surface of said chamber with respect to the chordal extent between the ends of its bases attached to said surface provided that the radial extent is less than the distance from the surface of the center of said chamber.

3. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said flutes are triangular in crosssection and are equidistantly spaced about the inner wall of said compression chamber from the others.

4. The refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein each of said flutes are polygonal in cross section.

5. The refuse compactor according to claim- 2,

wherein each of said flutes are spirally formed and arranged in parallel with each other along the inner walls of said compression chamber.

6. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said flutes are provided with a bevelled edge at their ends adjacent said second position to provide a lead'in for said refuse.

7. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein the chordal distance between the radial inner portions of adjacent flutes is equal'to or greater than the chordal distance between the bases of the adjacent flutes.

8. The refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein the line extension of each of the base ends of said flutes are not parsllel and meet exteriorly of said chamber.

9. The refuse compactor according to claim 1, in cluding means for successively reciprocating said ram on delivery of refuse to said feed opening, said ram and said flutes acting on said refuse cooperatingly to compress said refuse into a continuous stream having successive laminar portions formed corresponding to each from said compactor. 

1. A waste compactor comprising a tubular chamber having a uniform cross-section along its length, said chamber having a discharge opening at its leading end and a feed opening at its trailing end, a chute communicating with the feed opening for delivery of refuse thereto, a ram longitudinally moveable between a first position to the rear of the feed opening and a second position forward of said feed opening to move said refuse into said chamber and along the inner surface thereof forward to said discharge opening, the portion of the chamber located between said second position and said discharge opening having a plurality of elongated flutes spaced from each other and each extending substantially along the path of movement of said refuse and extending from the inner surface of said chamber toward the center thereof, said flutes extending radially within said chamber an amount sufficient to substantially decrease the crosssectional area of said chamber while simultaneously increasing the contact surface uniformly between said second position and said discharge opening, thereby to compact said refuse on movement from the second position to said discharge opening.
 2. The waste compactor according to claim 1, wherein said elongated chamber is of circular cross-section and said flutes are uniform in cross section and extend radially inward towards the center thereof, the number of flutes being determined by the ratio of its radial extent from the surface of said chamber with respect to the chordal extent between the ends of its bases attached to said surface provided that the radial extent is less than the distance from the surface of the center of said chamber.
 3. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said flutes are triangular in cross-section and are equidistantly spaced about the inner wall of said compression chamber from the others.
 4. The refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein each of said flutes are polygonal in cross section.
 5. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said flutes are spirally formed and arranged in parallel with each other along the inner walls of said compression chamber.
 6. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein each of said flutes are provided with a bevelled edge at their ends adjacent said second position to provide a lead-in for said refuse.
 7. The refuse compactor according to claim 2, wherein the chordal distance between the radial inner portions of adjacent flutes is equal to or greater than the chordal distance between the bases of the adjacent flutes.
 8. The refuse compactor according to claim 2 wherein the line extension of each of the base ends of said flutes are not parsllel and meet exteriorly of said chamber.
 9. The refuse compactor according to claim 1, including means for successively reciprocating said ram on delivery of refuse to said feed opening, said ram and said flutes acting on said refuse cooperatingly to compress said refuse into a continuous stream having successive laminar portions formed corresponding to each delivery of refuse, and wherein the compression section of said compactor is supported on a base and is cantilevered with respect thereto to be freely spaced frOm the floor, a substantially endless tubular bag material mounted over the compression section, said tubular bag being adapted to be cut and tied at selective intervals between refuse laminae on the discharge of refuse from said compactor. 